MAKING THE MOST OF SMALL SPACES
Condo Interior Design Tips
by KALLI GEORGE
"I have a small space. It is not working for my current needs. I do not know how to make the best use of it. I am not sure it is worth spending the money on a renovation. It is better if I sell it."
Small spaces often get a bad rap for being challenging to work with. Sure, they lack floor space, but that does not mean they cannot meet all your home needs. An effective small condo design requires some upfront work. An analysis and thoughtful planning ahead can go a long way in maximizing your small space. In a larger home, you can find a nook for a table or stash away oversized items in a different room or closet. A small space does not offer that luxury.
TORONTO CONDO INTERIOR DESIGN
The starting point for small condo décor is easy- it begins with a collection of questions. The answers will serve as the foundation for your design choices. It will guide you in selecting the right furniture, accessories, artwork, and millwork for your living space. This exercise ensures you make the right decisions. It helps you avoid buying furniture that does not fit or purchasing the wrong items.
• How do you plan on using the space? Define your priorities. Consider factors like entertainment, work, relaxation, and storage needs.
• Do you entertain? Your living areas and furniture choices should reflect your entertaining vibe. Versatile furniture is a valuable addition.
• Are you a homebody? Some people prefer cozy nights in. Focus on comfort and relaxation in your design. Create a space that feels more like a sanctuary.
• Do you work from home? If remote work is part of your life, choose a spot for work. In smaller spaces, that is not always possible. The desk might end up being the kitchen table. Pick a kitchen cabinet as your office storage. Hide the work clutter so you will not have to look at it 24 x 7.
• What functions must the space fulfill so you have a comfortable and happy home? Identify your needs. So you have a comfortable and happy home.
Your answers will provide the direction for furniture, accessories, artwork and millwork. Analysis work is dull. Shopping is fun and exciting. A tape measure will never compete with vibrant artwork and pretty fabrics. Avoiding this exercise altogether can bring on a world of hurt.
Avoiding this exercise will be a mistake. Thoughts of moving will cross your mind as you grapple with the challenges of living in a small condo. It is crucial to consider the financial implications of selling and moving. In this city, you may end up in another small space if you bite the bullet and sell.
How so?
Selling your condo will trigger realtor fees and corresponding taxes. In Toronto, you can kiss 5.65% of your sale price goodbye! It is an amount that can significantly impact what you can afford as your next property. The number does not include moving costs or any other associated costs. If you are willing to sacrifice 5.65% of your home price, it is time to review the reasons behind it.
CONDO DESIGN TORONTO
Time to analyze your existing space in your condo unit; make sure there is nothing you can do to improve it. Your condo does not need a structural overhaul. Simple condo renovations, especially in small spaces, can make a big difference.
Toronto condo - original floor plan
Consider the following condo design tips:
• Update your kitchen with more storage: Smart design solutions include condo-size appliances. Overhauling the contractor-grade cabinetry to maximize storage and functionality.
• Ditch the island for a table and chairs: In recent years, we have seen the return of the kitchen table as the island. It offers the same function but makes for more comfortable seating.
• Updated Closets: Closet organizers make a big difference. The single rod and shelf in condo closets are a recipe for disaster.
• Realign walls for better flow: Removing condo walls is not a good idea. Adding a wall can make a big difference. A partition wall will delineate your space and enhance the flow of your small space.
Improvements that fall under condo decorating make a significant difference. These include:
• Selecting appropriately sized furniture: Select furniture to meet your needs. Use an online 3D floor plan to plot your furniture layout. It will help with sizes, position and quantity of items.
• Paint and Wallpaper: You do not have to live in an unspiring small space. The right wall treatments can create the illusion of space and add personality to your condo.
• Lighting, Décor, Area Rugs: Task lighting adds soft light throughout your small space. Accessories and area rugs make a small condo feel inviting and visually appealing.
SMALL CONDO INTERIOR DESIGN
Here is a 440-square-foot condo in Toronto with a tired and unoriginal layout. The living room serves as a makeshift bedroom, causing discomfort and inconvenience. Every day, work begins with stowing stowing away a couch mattress. When you return, a bed is only available if you pull out a sofa mattress. Every day, you open and close an uncomfortable sofa bed. Failure to do that and you are living in a mess of bedsheets, pillows and covers. You will be itching to move very quickly.
Before making that drastic decision, consider our proposed updates. The physical structure of the condo remains the same. We added storage, functionality and a dedicated bedroom. These changes enhance the daily living experience. They also prevent the impulse to sell to escape the space.
Small condo renovations in Toronto can be financially prudent and creatively rewarding. By understanding your needs, you can explore thoughtful design changes. You can turn your space into a stylish, functional oasis that suits your lifestyle.
If you are just about exhausted trying to make your small space work, we can help. We will analyze the fundamentals with you. Do not underestimate the potential of your small condo. Think of it as a canvas. I am waiting for you to transform it into a masterpiece of design and function.
We see the possibilities where others see obstacles or nothing at all.
Kalli George is the founder and lead designer with Kalli George Interiors’ award-winning interior design team. For more than a decade they have managed the design, build and décor of residential projects across the GTA including, Mississauga, Etobicoke and Brampton.